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T O P I C R E V I E W

Robert Pearlman

From Ria Novosti:

Russia has published an unprecedented book, World Manned Cosmonautics, revealing for the first time secrets of all the manned programs realized in the USSR, Russia, the United States, China and some other countries.

"For the first time in the history of cosmonautics the book describes in detail, popularly in fascinating and at the same time responsible form all the manned flights in the period from 1961 to 2004. It also represents the design of most manned spacecraft", said editor-in-chief of the magazine Novosti Kosmonavtiki (News of Cosmonautics) and supervisor of the authors' collective Igor Marinin.

The book devotes a special place to unrealized projects and different foreign programs. "It will be published in 5,000 copies. The price of the almost 2.5-kilogram copy is about 2,600 rubles", Mr. Marinin told RIA Novosti.

The book consultant Pilot-Cosmonaut Yuri Baturin said: "We present a book of which we are very proud. Indeed, there is no such book elsewhere in the world and will hardly be in 20 years to come". "We dedicate it to the 45th birthday of the team of cosmonauts, to be marked on March 7, 2005", he added.

In turn, Cosmonaut Pavel R. Popovich of the first enrolment noted: "I very much like the style of writing. What is noteworthy, it is not overpoliticized", Mr. Popovich said.

The difference in principle between this book and a mere book of facts is that it is not a report about missions, understandable to only a narrow circle of specialists, but a publication which will help readers interested in the progress of world cosmonautics to understand the very core of it.

On March, 4 press conference has taken place in the House of journalists, concerning issue of the book " World pilotiruemaja astronautics ", written group of authors of magazine " News of astronautics " and financed by company RTSoft (general director Olga Viktorovna Sinenko).

Pilots-cosmonauts Pavel Popovich, Jury Baturin and Valery Poljakov have taken part in press conference, and as Olga Sinenko and authors of the book of I.Afanasev, K.Lantratov, I.Lisov, V.Lukashevich, S.Shamsutdinov. The head of creative collective I.Marinin conducted press conference.

After discussion of the book and numerous questions, representatives of press could have a talk with cosmonauts and participants of the project in informal conditions on a buffet table. In end of a meeting all participants have received gifts from company RTSoft.

More detailed picture story about press conference will soon appear in PHOTO GALLERY "NK".

There are also photos on the site of Romanian Cosmonaut Dorin Prunariu in his office at the Romanian Embassy in Moscow, photos of Yuri Gagarin's brother and a book signing by Yuri Usachev.

Robert Pearlman

I have a contact in Russia looking into ordering options though if anyone knows further details, please share it here.

Energia-Buran

I just received an email from Igor Marinin of 'Novosti Cosmonavtiki'. Here are the costs:

Book - $100

Postage - $39

Insurance - $10

For a total of $149.

To pay, send money via Western Union to theattention of Valerie (Valieria) Davidova, and email Igor the WU transaction number.

For those who speak Russian, email me and I'll forward you my original message and his response. Hope this helps.

(I also spoke with someone at the firm "RTSoft" [one of the financial backers]. He stated that the book is also available fromEastview, but they haven't replied to my email yet.)

Energia-Buran

I sent Valeria my money yesterday, and received an acknowledgement from Igor. I should receive my book in 2-3 weeks (if previous experiences hold true).

I'll post a review as soon as I get it.

MSS

It's GREAT book with all piloted (planned too) programs all over the world, including spacecraft and rocket description...astronaut/cosmonaut/taikonaut groups is olsoincluded!

Good reading!

Wehaveliftoff

This is one book most Americans will say they bought for the pictures (and names), not the (foreign) words, hah. It's a sold book if they ever release an English language book.

Energia-Buran

Quick Update: I got the book on Monday. Initial impression: WOW!

The photographs and diagrams are very high-quality. The pages are glossy and seem to feel slightly thicker than 'normal' stock, which I hope translates into pages that will stand up to the 'usage' I'll be inflicting on it.

I'll try to do some reading over the next few days and post a few comments about the content.